The world around them froze, as if time itself had drawn a deep, shuddering breath. Farik stood motionless, his eyes darkened and vacant, devoid of the warmth that marked human life. An unseen force rippled through the air, penetrating their very beings, leaving them dizzy and gripped by an unfamiliar dread. The friends didn't notice the shadows consuming Farik, his expression shifting to one of primal fury, as if he were ready to unleash a tempest upon them.

What's happening? Faris whispered, his heart constricting with fear. He cast anxious glances at his companions, only to find their expressions mirroring his confusion.

Suddenly, Lirianna's voice pierced the thickening silence, rising like a desperate cry for help: Farik, stop!

In a blur, Farik, consumed by rage, lunged at Lirianna, his breath a furious gale as he seized her by the hair, the act more monstrous than human.

Farik, let her go! Kaldrion shouted, his heart pounding like a war drum. He rushed forward, shoving Farik away and quickly checking Lirianna for harm. Bewilderment swept over them, as they grappled with the chaos unfolding.

But Farik was relentless. He charged again, his fury unyielding, and Kaldrion instinctively shielded Lirianna with his own body. In a brutal twist of fate, Farik sank his teeth into Kaldrion's arm as if it were a mere piece of bread.

How could he do this? Ariena thought, her heart racing with fear and disbelief. No one dared attack Farik except her. With a trembling hand, she grabbed a nearby stick and swung it at him. It did little more than sting, and in a moment of chaos, she lost her footing, sending him tumbling from the cliff's edge.

There was no time for grief; a terrible earthquake roared to life beneath them, sending landslides cascading down the mountainside, the sound of crashing rocks drowning out their shouts.

We need to go! Faris shouted, gathering what little strength remained. The earth is moving!

Once they fled the mountains, they collapsed in a nearby clearing, breathless and bewildered, unsure where the surge of adrenaline had come from. The wind howled through the trees, carrying with it the whispers of the forest, and an uneasy tension hung in the air.

What the hell just happened? Kaldrion muttered angrily, turning to Ariena. Why did you touch him? You might have killed him!

I was protecting you and Lirianna! she shot back, tears streaking down her cheeks. He could have killed you!

He's my brother! I couldn't hurt him, even if his mind was twisted! Kaldrion exclaimed, pain etched across his features.

We don't know what happened to him! Faris interjected, his voice steady despite the rising tide of emotions. You can't blame someone for trying to protect you!

I didn't ask her to do that! Kaldrion retorted sharply.

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Watch your words! They might come back to haunt you, Faris warned, tension crackling between them.

As their argument swirled like a storm, Lian, seated off to the side, pondered the enormity of what had transpired. Why had this happened? What had changed within him? He focused inward and suddenly realized his body felt lighter, as if the weight of gravity had weakened. Strength and speed coursed through him, a curious exhilaration mingling with fear.

We know too little, Lian declared, rising resolutely. It's unclear if Farik is dead or what's happened to him. We must help Kaldrion, then find Farik.

Later?! Faris exclaimed, eyes wide in disbelief. We're going now!

Hours passed in frantic search, until at last they found Farik's lifeless body. Grief erupted among the girls, while Kaldrion fell into a fit of hysteria, his face twisted in anguish.

I'll bury him here, Faris said quietly, standing over his brother's still form. I can't predict what awaits us outside this forest.

They interred Farik in a cave, the earth partially enveloping him—a solemn resting place carved from the stone of sorrow.

Emerging from the forest, horror gripped their hearts. The city lay in ruins; the earthquakes had wrought devastation on a massive scale. The air reverberated with the echoes of destruction, a haunting reminder of recent calamity.

Thousands may have perished, Kaldrion murmured, despair heavy in his voice. They need help.

But then, a cacophony of anguished cries reached them—pleas for assistance resonating through the rubble. Rushing into the city, they were stunned to find chaos: one faction of the population had turned on another, tearing apart their kin, devouring hearts in a frenzy of madness.

We must help! Ariena cried, her voice trembling with fear.

Desperately, they attempted to rescue a nearby boy and his girlfriend, lifting debris and striving to move as quietly as possible.

But they were spotted. The frenzied masses surged toward them, even the children acting strangely, their eyes glinting with a sinister light.

Fighting back, they barricaded themselves in one of the houses with the wounded. Every sound outside sent their hearts racing, pounding like a war drum against their ribs.

Forgive me, Ariena, Kaldrion said, regret heavy in his tone. From what we've seen, this isn't just madness; something has happened to him while he gazed at the sky.

Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to respond. I was scared for you, she whispered, meeting his gaze.

From all the windows and doors, the deranged were peering in. Kaldrion grasped her shoulders, his voice low and urgent. They're about to get inside. Perhaps we'll join them soon.

They huddled in a corner, hearts pounding, when suddenly, a breach erupted in the wall.

Faris, accepting his fate, closed his eyes, ready for the end.

But then, as if summoned by the very forces of fate, an old man appeared before him, grinning like a mischievous child.

Aha! So you're still alive! Let's help! he declared, uttering strange words and stretching his hands forward. With a wave of his arm, he pushed back the maddened throng, creating a safe zone around them.

And what's this? You all look so grim, as if the world's about to end! the old man chuckled, seemingly oblivious to the chaos. His energy crackled in the air, and even in such dire circumstances, he exuded an uncanny confidence.

The old man spoke not like a sage, but more like a youthful trickster, despite his long hair, beard, and robe—the very embodiment of the stories they had grown up hearing.

If you wish to live, you'll come with me. Or you can stay here, twisted and lost.

What? they exclaimed in unison, bewildered.

Oh, right! You don't know! These people aren't exactly bad; it's just that magic can twist the soul and such things, he explained casually, as if discussing the weather.

Old man, could you be clearer? What the hell does 'such things' mean? Lian asked, the tension thickening with each passing moment.

Let's go to a safe place; you'll learn everything there. Oh, and take these corpses with you—they're still alive, he added nonchalantly, a grin plastered across his face.